How to pray the Rosary is a prayer practice that unites repetition, contemplation, and faith. It’s a way of walking with Mary through the most important moments in Jesus’ life. Many people find it difficult at first, but with a step-by-step guide and the correct distribution of the mysteries, anyone can learn.
Index
What is the Rosary and the Chaplet
- Full Rosary: includes all 20 mysteries (Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious, and Luminous).
- Chaplet (“Terço”): consists of just 5 mysteries (one set), equivalent to one third of the full Rosary.
👉 Therefore, when someone says “pray the chaplet,” they are already praying part of the Rosary, and it’s the most common daily practice.
Table 1: step by step—how to pray the Rosary
| Step | What to pray | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sign of the Cross | Beginning of prayer |
| 2 | Creed | Profession of faith |
| 3 | Our Father | First large bead |
| 4 | 3 Hail Marys | Ask for faith, hope, and charity |
| 5 | Glory Be | Ends the opening prayers |
| 6 | Announce the 1st Mystery | Depends on the weekday |
| 7 | Our Father | Before each decade |
| 8 | 10 Hail Marys | Meditating on the announced mystery |
| 9 | Glory Be | After each decade |
| 10 | Fatima Prayer (optional) | After each decade |
| 11 | Repeat steps 6–10 | For the 5 mysteries of the day |
| 12 | Hail, Holy Queen | Closing the Rosary |
| 13 | Final prayers | Litany or personal intention |
Why do weekdays matter?
The Rosary has 20 mysteries in total, and to aid meditation, the Church distributes these mysteries across the days of the week. This way, the faithful contemplate different moments of Christ’s life throughout the week without needing to pray all 20 at once.
Table 2: the 20 Rosary mysteries by day
| Weekday | Set of Mysteries | Mysteries (5 in each set) |
|---|---|---|
| Monday and Saturday | Joyful | 1. Annunciation (angel announces to Mary) 2. Visitation (Mary visits Elizabeth) 3. Nativity of Jesus in Bethlehem 4. Presentation of Jesus in the Temple 5. Finding the Child Jesus in the Temple |
| Tuesday and Friday | Sorrowful | 1. Agony of Jesus in the Garden 2. Scourging at the Pillar 3. Crowning with Thorns 4. Jesus carries the Cross 5. Crucifixion and Death of Jesus |
| Wednesday and Sunday | Glorious | 1. Resurrection of Jesus 2. Ascension of Jesus 3. Pentecost (the Holy Spirit descends) 4. Assumption of Mary 5. Coronation of Mary in Heaven |
| Thursday | Luminous | 1. Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan 2. Wedding at Cana (miracle of the wine) 3. Proclamation of the Kingdom of God 4. Transfiguration of Jesus 5. Institution of the Eucharist |
The meaning of the four sets of mysteries
Each set of mysteries tells a part of the story of salvation. While praying the Hail Marys, the mind and heart focus on each scene.
Joyful Mysteries (Monday and Saturday)
- Annunciation: The angel Gabriel announces to Mary that she will be the Mother of Jesus.
- Visitation: Mary visits her cousin Elizabeth, who is expecting John the Baptist.
- Nativity of Jesus: The Son of God is born in Bethlehem.
- Presentation in the Temple: Mary and Joseph present Jesus to God.
- Finding in the Temple: The child Jesus is found among the teachers.
Sorrowful Mysteries (Tuesday and Friday)
- Agony in the Garden: Jesus prays and suffers in Gethsemane.
- Scourging: Jesus is scourged.
- Crowning with Thorns: Jesus is crowned with thorns.
- Way of the Cross: Jesus carries the cross to Calvary.
- Crucifixion: Jesus dies on the cross out of love.
Glorious Mysteries (Wednesday and Sunday)
- Resurrection: Jesus conquers death.
- Ascension: Jesus ascends into Heaven.
- Pentecost: The Holy Spirit descends upon the Apostles.
- Assumption of Mary: Mary is taken up into Heaven.
- Coronation of Mary: Mary is crowned Queen of Heaven and Earth.
Luminous Mysteries (Thursday)
- Baptism of Jesus: Jesus is baptized in the Jordan.
- Wedding at Cana: Jesus turns water into wine.
- Proclamation of the Kingdom: Jesus proclaims the Good News.
- Transfiguration: Jesus reveals His glory on Mount Tabor.
- Institution of the Eucharist: Jesus gives us the Eucharist at the Last Supper.
Weekly Rosary calendar
| Day | Mysteries to meditate |
|---|---|
| Monday | Joyful |
| Tuesday | Sorrowful |
| Wednesday | Glorious |
| Thursday | Luminous |
| Friday | Sorrowful |
| Saturday | Joyful |
| Sunday | Glorious |
👉 By following this calendar, you contemplate all 20 mysteries in one week.
Practical tips for praying the Rosary
- Choose a fixed time of day.
- If you can’t pray it all, do just one mystery (10 Hail Marys).
- Pray as a family to strengthen bonds.
- Use apps or audio if they help you focus.
- The most important thing is not speed, but attention to the mysteries.
Frequently asked questions
1. Do I need physical rosary beads?
No. You can use your fingers, an app, or even count mentally.
2. How long does it take?
One chaplet takes about 20 to 30 minutes. The full Rosary may take over 1 hour and 30 minutes.
3. Can I pray anywhere?
Yes. The important thing is to keep attention and devotion.
4. What if I lose count?
Resume from where you remember. The value lies in intention and meditation.
5. Do I have to follow the exact weekdays?
It’s recommended but not mandatory. You can pray any set of mysteries on any day.
Conclusion – Rosary
Learning how to pray the rosary opens space for a profound encounter with Jesus and Mary. More than repeating prayers, it is to meditate on the central moments of the Christian faith.
With the step by step, the tables, and the weekly calendar, it becomes easy to organize prayer and practice it every day. Whether alone, with family, or in community, the Rosary is a source of peace, hope, and unity.
READ ALSO:
- What Is the Pentateuch: Origin, Structure, and Meaning
- “Do This in Memory of Me”: The True Meaning of the Lord’s Supper
- Genesis 29:20: The Verse that Reveals Love and Perseverance
FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK
I hope you liked it
